The Coast to Coast is a long distance walk of 190 miles across England, devised by Alfred Wainwright. It starts in St. Bees Head in Cumbria and traverses three National Parks before it's end in Robin Hood's Bay on the Yorkshire coast. It isn't an official path but in recent years has become the most popular long distance route in Britain, no doubt testament to the popularity of Mr. Wainwright.

Walkers are encouraged to dip their toes in the sea to mark the start, and do the same on finally arriving at the North Sea. It's also traditional to carry a pebble (or several) with you to launch into Robin Hood's Bay. Wainwright devised it to inspire others to create their own routes. As such there is no definitive way and no specific stopping points - this is left to walkers to decide themselves.

We decided on a fairly leisurely thirteen day excursion. Others we met on route were doing ten or twelve days ... and one idiotic couple were going east to west in twelve days then turnig round and going back the other way in ten!!!

I can't speak for Mick or Martin, but this has to be one of the best experiences of my life, something utterly unforgetable with memories I will treasure for the rest of my life. With so many other long distance routes available I may not get around to doing this particular walk again, but as they say "never say never"!

Anyway, enough rambling, this is our story ...

Individual Day Logs ...

Click on a thumbnail below to view that days full report, photos, comments, map etc.